T+L’s Resort Evaluation of Conrad Bora Bora Nui, French Polynesia

I Starvation-Gamed my manner onto the small airplane from Tahiti to Bora Bora and plopped down in a window seat: I used to be instructed to sit down on the left aspect for the perfect views of the notoriously photogenic French Polynesian island. The recommendation was stable, as turquoise waters and sand bars appeared out of nowhere, giving me a glimpse of the sweetness I used to be about to immerse myself in.

Inside quarter-hour of deplaning, I used to be on a ship headed to a personal cove on Motu To’opua, a small islet in Bora Bora. As we approached land, I caught a glimpse of the overwater bungalows at Conrad Bora Bora Nui sitting within the turquoise lagoon.

A heat welcome and a swift check-in later, I used to be on a golf cart en path to my luxurious one-bedroom villa, which, with its thatched roof and picket interiors, blended harmoniously with its pure environment. Roger Godin, the resort’s normal supervisor, described the lodge as a mixture of recent luxurious and Polynesian attraction.

Throughout my keep, I used to be usually shocked by how intimate and personal the resort felt. It was solely at breakfast that I bought an inkling that it is likely to be absolutely booked. And this phantasm is a spotlight of the visitor expertise. “Conrad Bora Bora Nui is designed to offer a way of seclusion and tranquility, permitting friends to completely immerse themselves within the pure great thing about Bora Bora,” Godin instructed Journey + Leisure. “Our resort affords a singular place and form that gives one hundred pc privateness, making friends really feel as if they’re almost the one ones right here, removed from the mass tourism expertise.”

Bora Bora has a status as a honeymoon vacation spot, however after a couple of days right here, I spotted that the island—and the resort—are value visiting, whether or not or not you are celebrating a life milestone.

“We create unforgettable experiences for each kind of traveler. Whether or not you’re honeymooners searching for a romantic escape, households seeking luxurious and journey, or associates on a getaway, our resort has all of it,” Godin stated.

Here is what it is like to remain at Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

The Rooms

The lodge affords 114 suites and villas divided into a number of classes, together with lagoon view suites, backyard villas, seashore villas, overwater villas, and the presidential overwater villas.

“Every kind offers distinctive options reminiscent of direct lagoon entry, non-public swimming pools, and gorgeous views,” Godin stated, including that lagoon view suites with their spacious residing areas are an excellent possibility for households, whereas the backyard villas and seashore villas provide extra privateness inside a secluded, lush surroundings.

I stayed in an overwater villa, which Godin described because the “quintessential Bora Bora expertise.” Contained in the bungalow had been all the fashionable conveniences I might need: air con, an enormous lavatory with a bathtub, a closet, and ample seating. Exterior, I had a personal deck with an infinity pool and gorgeous views of the lagoon.

A ladder on the aspect of the deck allowed me to dip into the ocean and snorkel at any time when I happy, whereas the coral reef below my bungalow ensured an array of colourful fish had been swimming always. One of the crucial particular moments throughout my go to was an early morning after I watched sharks, rays, and a college of fish swim by as I sat on the deck.

One other spotlight is the two-story presidential overwater villa, which affords friends 3,229 sq. toes of area, lagoon views, an infinity pool, and a devoted butler.

Whatever the room class, friends have entry to an island host, the resort’s tackle a butler. “This ensures that each visitor’s keep is tailor-made to their wants, making every go to really unforgettable,” Godin defined.

Meals and Drink

Conrad Bora Bora Nui has 5 eating places and bars: Iriatai, a fine-dining French restaurant; Banyan, a contemporary seafood and Chinese language restaurant; Tamure Seashore Grill, an open-air kitchen serving Mediterranean and Polynesian fare; the Tarava Pool Bar, the place friends can order drinks by the pool; and The Upa Upa Lounge Bar, which affords cocktails and light-weight bites. Godin instructed T+L that the cooks at every restaurant use native elements to whip up dishes that showcase the flavors of Polynesia.

“Company can take pleasure in themed eating experiences, non-public seashore dinners, and a wide range of worldwide cuisines,” Godin added. One instance is the weekly Ahi Ma’a, a Polynesian dinner and present that takes place each Friday. The night options reside leisure, together with native dancers and a hearth present, together with a buffet of Polynesian dishes ready in an underground oven. Company may jet off to the non-public islet of Motu Tapu for a picnic within the water. (And by picnic, we do not imply finger sandwiches—assume lobster and champagne at sundown.)

However one of many coolest eating experiences was having my breakfast (recent fruit, bread, and poisson cru) delivered by canoe and arrange on my deck, after which having fun with my meal whereas taking within the view of the countless blue waters.

Actions and Experiences

The resort has an infinity pool with in-water chaise lounges and cabanas, in addition to the swim-up Tarava Pool Bar. There are additionally actions with native consultants—you may learn to open a coconut, dabble in weaving banana leaves into luggage, learn to tie a pareo in varied methods, or take a ukulele class.

And, in fact, water adventures abound. Company can take a look at kayaks, snorkel gear, and paddleboards. Different actions, reminiscent of jet-skiing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, and outrigger canoe rides, will be coordinated upon request. (Throughout my go to, the lodge organized a snorkeling journey to a close-by website, together with swimming with sharks and rays.)

The Spa

The lodge’s hilltop spa boasts surroundings so gorgeous that I used to be a couple of minutes late checking in for my remedy. The upward path is lined with aromatic tropical blooms of each shade possible, whereas the panoramic views that unveil with each step are jaw-dropping. Coming into Hina Spa—the title pays tribute to the Polynesian moon goddess—instantly units the tone for sheer rest with earthy tones and views of the ocean.

Every serene remedy suite seems out to the lagoon, whereas the opulent double remedy villas additionally characteristic whirlpools.

The resort has partnered with French skincare model Biologique Recherche to supply a spread of therapies, from a Polynesian physique scrub to a Detoxifying Algae Wrap. (Godin shared that one of many signature therapies is the Face Sculpting Therapeutic massage.) I booked the Tahitian therapeutic massage, a medium-pressure Polynesian-style therapeutic massage, that left me so relaxed I needed there have been on-site nap pods.

Household-friendly Choices

The lodge affords a devoted children membership that includes actions reminiscent of arts and crafts, treasure hunts, babysitting providers, and a youngsters’s playground. Moreover, there are family-friendly lodging, together with the Lagoon View Suites and Seashore Villas.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The lodge has accessible services, together with ramps and pathways, and visitor rooms with roll-in showers, seize bars, and facilities positioned at a decrease peak.

As for sustainability, Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s eco-friendly efforts embrace the set up of photo voltaic panels, recycling initiatives, sourcing sustainable elements and merchandise for its eating places, and implementing energy-efficient practices. The resort additionally works with marine biologists to guard and restore the native reef. “We actively take part in coral reef preservation and assist native artisans by showcasing their crafts in our boutique,” Godin stated.

Location

Conrad Bora Bora Nui is located on a secluded non-public island within the Bora Bora lagoon. To get right here, it’s a must to fly to Tahiti’s Fa’a’ā Worldwide Airport (PPT) after which take a 45-minute interisland flight to Bora Bora Airport (BOB). Right here, the resort’s group will usher you onto a yacht that may ship you to the resort’s dock, the place a welcome group greets you with a refreshing drink.

Professional-tip: I like to recommend giving your self a couple of days on Tahiti to discover its many native choices. And should you’re searching for a high quality keep near the airport, Hilton Resort Tahiti is a wonderful possibility with implausible meals, service, and the island’s largest pool.

Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Company can save as much as 40 p.c by reserving prematurely and earn double Hilton Honors factors for every evening of keep. AARP members can save as much as 10 p.c. For the newest data on resort offers and reductions, go to the “Provides” web page on the lodge’s web site. Nightly charges begin at $1,000.

Each T+L lodge evaluate is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.